Pasig City, Philippines—The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in partnership with Meridian International Business, Arts and Technology (MINT) College, celebrated the successful culmination of the Malikhaing Pinoy: Music Business Masterclasses with a graduation ceremony and concert held at the MINT College Pasig Campus on April 05.
Driven by Filipino creativity and world-class professionalism, the event marked a significant milestone for the Philippines’ creative economy. Eighty-one (81) scholars from across the country completed an intensive 10-day industry-focused training designed to equip emerging music professionals with the tools to navigate and thrive in the global music industry. These masterclasses represent a bold step towards developing a stronger, more sustainable creative ecosystem.
Spearheaded by the DTI’s Creative Industries Development Office, the Malikhaing Pinoy: Music Business Masterclasses empowered artist managers, record labels, and entertainment companies with vital skills to manage, market, and export Filipino music in the digital landscape.
Additionally, expert-led sessions immersed participants in legal and financial literacy, branding, digital distribution, exporting, and strategic management. These sessions, along with core modules like Music Business Fundamentals and Legal Topics in the Music Industry, ensured that participants gained actionable insights and concrete strategies for long-term success.
Representing DTI Secretary Cristina A. Roque, Director Lilian Salonga, Officer-in-Charge of the DTI Creative Industries Development Office, underscored the program’s pivotal role in empowering Filipino music professionals.
In her keynote address, she shared: “Music is the heartbeat of the Filipino spirit—it tells our stories, shapes our identity, and connects us to the world.” She further emphasized that the masterclasses act as a transformative bridge, linking creative passion with sustainable business practices within the music industry.
With a strong foundation laid and sustained support from government, academic institutions like MINT College, and the private sector, the DTI’s Malikhaing Pinoy initiative stands as a vital launchpad—ushering in a new era where Filipino music resonates across islands and continents.
The Malikhaing Pinoy: Music Business Masterclasses is a forward-looking initiative that seeks to position Filipino music as a strong and competitive force in the international market. It aims to increase the Philippines’ current 1.69 percent share in the global music market—a clear contrasts to South Korea’s USD 3.1 billion in music exports in 2023, driven by the global phenomenon of K-pop––and to tap into the USD 28.6 billion in global digital music revenues recorded in the same year. ♦
Date of Release: 14 April 2025
